Living in the Mountains. Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic Settlement in Northwest Portugal: Rock Shelter 1 of Vale de Cerdeira (Vieira do Minho)

A significant archaeological discovery in the Côa Valley, Portugal, reveals Late Mesolithic to Early Neolithic settlement patterns. Rock Shelter 1 of Vale de Cerdeira, a granite rock shelter in Cabreira mountain, provided evidence of human occupation through two combustion structures and an extensive stone tool assemblage (30,000 pieces). Radiocarbon dating confirmed the site's timeline, while detailed analysis of lithic tools and raw materials offered insights into prehistoric technological systems. The study, part of an ongoing PhD project, employs techno-typological analysis to reconstruct lithic production systems and procurement strategies, contributing to understanding hunter-gatherer adaptations in mountainous regions.

Xavier, P., Meireles, J., & Alves, C. (2022). Living in the Mountains. Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic Settlement in Northwest Portugal: Rock Shelter 1 of Vale de Cerdeira (Vieira do Minho). Open Archaeology, 8(1), 608–633. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2022-0252